Living willow tunnel brings nature to life at Edwinstowe primary school
A unique outdoor learning space has taken root at a Nottinghamshire primary school in the heart of historic Sherwood Forest.
The living willow tunnel at St Mary’s CofE Primary School in Edwinstowe has been designed and created by pupils, staff and local Nottinghamshire county councillor, James Gamble.
Cllr Gamble, who is divisional member for Sherwood Forest, worked closely with the students over several days to create the structure within the school’s nature area.
The living willow tunnel, made from hybrid willow grown and donated by Cllr Gamble, will continue to grow and develop over time, forming a natural shaded space for pupils to enjoy.
The project forms part of the school’s wider Forest Schools initiative, which encourages outdoor learning and a deeper connection with nature.
Pupils also contributed through the school’s nature club, held on Thursday afternoons, helping to weave and shape the living structure.
As a community forest champion for Greenwood Community Forest, Cllr Gamble brought his expertise in trees and sustainable planting to the project, guiding pupils through the process and sharing knowledge about the benefits of living structures and green spaces.
He said: "It’s been a pleasure working with the pupils at St Mary’s to create something that will grow with them over the years.
“Projects like this help young people connect with nature in a hands-on way while creating a lasting feature for the school community."
The living willow tunnel will not only provide shade and a place for imaginative play but also support biodiversity and enhance the school’s outdoor learning environment.
Jennie Bailey, headteacher at St Mary’s, said: “This has been a fantastic experience for our pupils. They’ve loved being involved in every stage of the process, and it’s a wonderful addition to our Forest Schools programme.
“It has enabled the children to get in tune with nature, get involved with problem-solving and experience working as a team. There have been so many benefits.”
The initiative highlights how partnerships between schools and local representatives can bring meaningful, lasting improvements to community spaces while promoting environmental awareness among young people.
